City winger predicted United semi-final

SHAUN Wright–Phillips has admitted it was inevitable Manchester City would end up being paired with Manchester United in their first FA Cup semi–final for 30 years.

Micah Richards' second–half header proved enough to give City a narrow win over Reading at Eastlands, with the Blues knowing before kick–off what the prize for victory was going to be.

And Wright–Phillips was so certain of the outcome, he hardly bothered to take notice.

"I have been down this road so many times and we always get United, so to me it was inevitable," said the England international.

"We found out in the warm–up and it gave us all a laugh because we had all guessed it would happen.”

Manager Roberto Mancini insists there is no element of revenge, even though there could be nothing sweeter for City fans to beat the side who hang a banner from their stadium emphasising how much time has passed since their neighbours' last trophy 35 years ago.

Even in Mancini's short time at Eastlands United have recorded four narrow wins over City, including a Carling Cup semi–final triumph last term and their latest meeting in February, which was settled by Wayne Rooney's wonder goal.

"Revenge is the wrong word," said Mancini. "It is a great semi–final and you could see what it meant to the fans at the end.”

Richards settled a nervy confrontation against their npower Championship opponents when he rose to power David Silva's 73rd–minute corner past Alex McCarthy to send his side into a meeting with Sir Alex Ferguson's men.

Reading began with confidence befitting a side boasting a seven–game unbeaten run, including a victory at Everton in the previous round.

Skipper Jobi McAnuff sparkled around the Blues box and Noel Hunt was not far off with an early header. City quickly started to dominate though, even if their attacks centred around the twinkle–toes of Silva.

If anything, the Spain star has started to eclipse Carlos Tevez as the Blues' most dangerous player. The pair combined to set up the returning Shaun Wright–Phillips, whose shot brought the first in a series of excellent saves from McCarthy. Silva pounced on the rebound but also failed to beat McCarthy, who also denied Yaya Toure.

Tevez twice fluffed his lines in excellent positions and McCarthy made a good stop from a Richards header before the right-back went one better.